The T5 Q&a Thread

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I am not sure if the Current ATI lamps are "Better" than the current Giesemann lamps. Maybe others care to comment on recent experience.
 
Phew! I just caught on to this thread this morning, and have just finished reading all the posts in all the splits. :-) Awesome info on here!

I was about ready to place an order for a Tek 6x54w fixture for my 90g (48x18x24h), but I wanted to confirm something - it sounds like the preference now is the Aquactinics TX5 since it is not as deep and allows the flexibility of sliding it back a little bit to reduce the light reaching the front sandbed. Is this right?

I'm wanting to upgrade my 4x65w PC fixture, and would like to keep a true mix of corals, as well as a clam or two.

Thank you!!!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11838520#post11838520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jennmac415
13threef, any pics??
Click to expand...

I'll post pics tomorow.. can't seem to find my usb cord for the camera at the moment.
 
Thank you Grim Reefer and Chiibear. I don't believe i didnt notice the big fat transformer!! Probably the excitiment from getting my new toy. I'm not normally blur enough to completely miss it....(at least i'd like to think i'm not!!)

Chiibear, any complaints about your Powermodule so far?

And Thank you Grim, for being the T5 Guru you are!!
 
Grim:
Im looking into what actinic vho would be good over a 40 breeder with 2 175 15k iwasakis which are more like 10k's i will have 4 36" vhos on a 660 ballast. which bulbs should i run i want a pretty good blue tank but not to blue and i want the sps to really show there colors. anyhelp? and also wheres a good place to buy vhos.
thanks-
Chris
 
hey guys im running 2 current nova extreme 8x54s on a standard 120 and im wandering if anyone is making 1400k bulbs yet. will post photo when i can figure out how to shrink in on my mac.
 
few ?'s
1. Can I use a terminal block and split a 110w lead getting two 54w bulbs on one circuit?
2. In general how much better is a six bulb vs. a pushed four bulb unit.
3. How would an ati four bulb fixture compare to a tek 6 bulb fixture, and are there any other choices in this $400-500?
many thanks!
 
Hi Grim, Im asking for a friend, he has a 55g mostly LPS and also a few clams. He has a T5 Current USA system, with 4 bulbs (54w). He's about to change his stock bulbs for the first time, so what bulb combination do you suggest? Thanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11811639#post11811639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Grim Reefer
2 would probably be at least as much as you have now. I would go 4 simply because it gives you more options to use different lamps to get a nice look. It would also allow you to raise most softies and even some LPS.
Click to expand...

Bringing back my other question about 2 x 39w T5's on a 30 gallon, if I went with 4 x 39w would that be enough to keep something like a bubble tip anemone?
 
ok so i read throught nearly the whole thread. lots of info.

but i understand you think the ebay fixtures are junk. but what makes them junk? crappy bulbs? bad ballasts?

im trying to stay under $400 for new lights for my 75g.
 
Ok. I just got a 24" 96 watt current SunDial. I already had a 150 watt SunPod MH. I was thinking that I might get better results with the T-5s. I just ordered 2 Blue Plus ATI and, a UVI AquaSun. and a UVI 75/25. I was still not totaly convinced that this would put out more light then my MH but everyone is talkin these T-5s up so much I thought I would give em a try. So today I took a Lux meter and tested it out. I put my T-5 on a 16 gal and put the meter at the bottom. on the 10x Lux setting I got about 600 Lum. Then I put the MH on and it blew the T-5s away with 1600 lum. Now If PAR is the most important thing for quality of light how can T-5s come anywhere close the MH?
 
Does the T5 fixture have individual reflectors for the bulbs? How high off the water was the sunpod and sundial?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11837487#post11837487 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 13threefmaniac
Mr Grim, i just got mt ATI powermodule. I've gone with one of your lighting suggestions and i absolutely love the colour. I just wanted to know whether the fans only come on once the unit reaches a certain temperature or are they supposed to be on at all times?
Click to expand...

Actually, ATI reccomends the 4.5V setting for the fans to provide the optimum cooling and the fans need to be on when any bulbs are lit.

James
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11842513#post11842513 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iamjoefox
ok so i read throught nearly the whole thread. lots of info.

but i understand you think the ebay fixtures are junk. but what makes them junk? crappy bulbs? bad ballasts?

im trying to stay under $400 for new lights for my 75g.
Click to expand...

Best bang for the buck is going to be a Reefgeek HO retro with IceCap reflectors like this 4 bulb one for $299:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__4x54W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

If you want even more light then go with the 6 bulb retro for $449:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__6x54W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

Blow a fan across the ends and it will be perfect. Good luck,

James
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11843057#post11843057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
Best bang for the buck is going to be a Reefgeek HO retro with IceCap reflectors like this one for $359:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__4x54W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

If you want even more light then go with the 6 bulb retro for $449:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...inch__6x54W_SLR_T5_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap

Blow a fan across the ends and it will be perfect. Good luck,

James
Click to expand...
Also, I recently got a 4 bulb retrofit kit with 2 ballasts from HELLOLIGHTS.com , and I am very happy with them!! Very good quality, and affordable.
 
Grim, one more quick question-- how long do my new bulbs generally last, before needing replaced?

ATI Blue+
Super actinic 03
Aquasun
 
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